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The Spartanburg product took over for Kevin Pohle at the start of the sixth inning after a 97-minute weather delay with Clemson holding an 8-2 lead in an eventual 11-3 victory in the opener of the NCAA Columbia Regional.

Haselden hit the first batter he faced and allowed two hits, one walk and one run before leaving the bases loaded when he got Chanticleers' leading hitter Daniel Bowman to fly out to center. Haselden then walked the first three batters of the seventh before striking out Justin Creel, getting Trip Martin on a nice sliding catch by left fielder Jay Baum and inducing Brian Pruett into an inning ending groundout.

“One of the big points in the ballgame was when we had a seven-run lead and they get the bases loaded in the seventh with nobody out and we got out of that cleanly,” Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. “If they score two or three runs next thing you know we got a four-run game, a three-run game and things all of a sudden aren't as easy as you want them to be. So that was a big turning point in the game for us and for him.”

Haselden finally settled in and allowed only Jacob May's eighth-inning double (before he was doubled-off second by right fielder Brad Felder on an inning-ending double play) over the final two frames. Haselden's control problems (four walks in four innings) were rare as the senior entered the game seventh all-time at Clemson with only 2.17 walks per nine innings.

“He's a strike thrower and for whatever reason he wasn't around the zone where he needed to be that inning,” Leggett said. “He did pitch out of it and has been giving us some good innings lately. He settled down and did some good things in the eighth and ninth. We need to have him perform for us this weekend if we're going to continue to keep on playing.”

Haselden also received praise from Pohle, who added, “Dave did a great job for us and really helped us bring the momentum back to our dugout inning after inning.”

Haselden wasn't made available after the game for comment.

BOTTOMS UP: The Nos. 7, 8 and 9 hitters in the Clemson order — Spencer Kieboom, Felder and Jason Stolz — each had two hits and scored a run in combining to go 6-for-11 with three RBIs. Stolz had a pair of doubles.

“It was big for the bottom half to get some production,” Felder said. “It's always good when everybody's hitting and it's definitely good getting something from the bottom because it adds up in the end.”

PAW PRINTS: Clemson's Phil Pohl has batted 6-for-13 with two homers (including both career grand slams), two doubles, 12 RBIs and four runs scored in four career games at Carolina Stadium. … By winning its eighth consecutive NCAA regional opener, the Tigers became the ninth Division I program to reach 2,600 victories.

<p>COLUMBIA — Clemson reliever David Haselden wasn't at his sharpest Friday against Coastal Carolina, but he battled his way to his first save of the season.</p><p>The Spartanburg product took over for Kevin Pohle at the start of the sixth inning after a 97-minute weather delay with Clemson holding an 8-2 lead in an eventual 11-3 victory in the opener of the NCAA Columbia Regional.</p><p>Haselden hit the first batter he faced and allowed two hits, one walk and one run before leaving the bases loaded when he got Chanticleers' leading hitter Daniel Bowman to fly out to center. Haselden then walked the first three batters of the seventh before striking out Justin Creel, getting Trip Martin on a nice sliding catch by left fielder Jay Baum and inducing Brian Pruett into an inning ending groundout.</p><p>“One of the big points in the ballgame was when we had a seven-run lead and they get the bases loaded in the seventh with nobody out and we got out of that cleanly,” Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. “If they score two or three runs next thing you know we got a four-run game, a three-run game and things all of a sudden aren't as easy as you want them to be. So that was a big turning point in the game for us and for him.”</p><p>Haselden finally settled in and allowed only Jacob May's eighth-inning double (before he was doubled-off second by right fielder Brad Felder on an inning-ending double play) over the final two frames. Haselden's control problems (four walks in four innings) were rare as the senior entered the game seventh all-time at Clemson with only 2.17 walks per nine innings.</p><p>“He's a strike thrower and for whatever reason he wasn't around the zone where he needed to be that inning,” Leggett said. “He did pitch out of it and has been giving us some good innings lately. He settled down and did some good things in the eighth and ninth. We need to have him perform for us this weekend if we're going to continue to keep on playing.”</p><p>Haselden also received praise from Pohle, who added, “Dave did a great job for us and really helped us bring the momentum back to our dugout inning after inning.”</p><p>Haselden wasn't made available after the game for comment.</p><p><b>BOTTOMS UP: </b>The Nos. 7, 8 and 9 hitters in the Clemson order — Spencer Kieboom, Felder and Jason Stolz — each had two hits and scored a run in combining to go 6-for-11 with three RBIs. Stolz had a pair of doubles.</p><p>“It was big for the bottom half to get some production,” Felder said. “It's always good when everybody's hitting and it's definitely good getting something from the bottom because it adds up in the end.”</p><p><b>PAW PRINTS: </b>Clemson's Phil Pohl has batted 6-for-13 with two homers (including both career grand slams), two doubles, 12 RBIs and four runs scored in four career games at Carolina Stadium. … By winning its eighth consecutive NCAA regional opener, the Tigers became the ninth Division I program to reach 2,600 victories.</p>